Magnetically controlled arrhythmical pendulum device

Abstract

A display or other type device having intrinsic attention attracting properties and eye appeal is provided in the form of a pendulum type device arranged so the pendulum has an arrhythmic movement in time and/or in space and time. The pendulum may be deviated to one side in its oscillations, and/or temporarily halted at the end of some or all of its oscillations, such unexpected deviations in space and/or in time serving to catch and hold the observer's attention or otherwise amuse onlookers. The arrhythmic movements of the pendulum are controlled by electromagnetic means positioned near the end of the oscillation trajectory of the pendulum.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pendulum type display device comprising: (a) a base having a peripheral portion and a central portion,   (b) a pendulum support associated with said base,   (c) a pendulum suspension connected to said support,   (d) a pendulum bob connected to said pendulum suspension, said bob being formed of a magnetizable material,   (e) electromagnetic means positioned adjacent the peripheral portion of said base and the normal outer extent of an oscillation of said pendulum bob,   (f) timing means to activate said electromagnetic means to attract and temporarily retain the pendulum bob at the end of an oscillation of said pendulum bob and to deactivate said electromagnetic means after a period of activation to release and allow said pendulum bob to swing away from the vicinity of said magnetic means.   
     
     
       2. A display device according to claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of electromagnetic means arranged in a pattern adjacent the peripheral portion of the base and timing means to activate said electromagnetic means to attract and at least momentarily retain said pendulum bob in a predetermined order. 
     
     
       3. A display device according to claim 1 additionally comprising mobile means to transport the electromagnetic means in a predetermined path adjacent the peripheral portion of the base and wherein the timing means is arranged and constructed to activate the electromagnetic means at a series of predetermined positions adjacent said peripheral edge to attract and at least momentarily retain the pendulum bob in such positions in a predetermined order. 
     
     
       4. A display device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the mobile means transports the electromagnetic means in a path substantially adjacent the perimeter of the upper surface of said base. 
     
     
       5. A display device in accordance with claim 4 in which there are two or more electromagnetic means. 
     
     
       6. A pendulum type display device comprising: (a) a base,   (b) an elevated support member extending from said base,   (c) a linear pendulum suspension member movably connected to said support member,   (d) a pendulum bob attached to the end of said suspension member,   (e) electromagnetic means positioned to influence oscillation of said pendulum adjacent the extremity of said oscillation,   (f) means to activate said electromagnetic means with respect to said pendulum and to deactivate said magnetic means with respect to said pendulum near the ends of its oscillations in a pattern which noticeably disturbs the normal oscillation of the pendulum.   
     
     
       7. A pendulum type display device according to claim 6 wherein there are two or more electromagnetic means and the means to activate and deactivate said electromagnetic means is arranged and constructed to accomplish said activation and deactivation in a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
       8. A pendulum type display device according to claim 7 wherein the electromagnetic means are fixedly mounted. 
     
     
       9. A pendulum type display device according to claim 6 wherein the electromagnetic means is carried on a moving support in a position to attract and retain the pendulum at the extremities of certain of its oscillations. 
     
     
       10. A pendulum type display device according to claim 9 wherein there are more than one electromagnetic means carried on the moving support. 
     
     
       11. A pendulum type display device according to claim 10 wherein the means to activate and deactivate the electromagnetic means is arranged and constructed to do so in a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
       12. A pendulum type display device according to claim 8 wherein the means to activate and deactivate the electromagnetic means is arranged and constructed to do so in a predetermined pattern. 
     
     
       13. A pendulum type display device according to claim 11 wherein the predetermined pattern can be varied by adjustment. 
     
     
       14. A pendulum type display device according to claim 12 wherein the predetermined pattern can be varied by adjustment. 
     
     
       15. A method of using a pendulum as a display device comprising: (a) commencing oscillation of the pendulum,   (b) magnetically attracting the pendulum near the extremity of certain of its oscillations to disturb such oscillation to such an extent as to attract the attention of a casual observer to the aberrant motion when compared to the normal oscillations of a pendulum while at the same time adding to the potential energy of oscillation of the pendulum, and   (c) interrupting the magnetic attraction to allow the pendulum to resume its normal oscillations.   
     
     
       16. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein motion of the pendulum is magnetically deviated with respect to its motion in time. 
     
     
       17. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the motion of the pendulum is magnetically deviated from respect to its motion both in time and in space.